Week 17: Bills vs. Seahawks Preview
The Bills and Seahawks play one final game for pride as the two teams battle it out in Seattle. This unusual nationally televised game has no playoff implications and will likely give ESPN their lowest ratings of the season. The one interesting subplot will be to see how the Bills react and play after the chaos caused this week with the dismissal of GM John Butler.

Facts and Figures

Matchup:

Buffalo (7-8) at Seattle (6-9)

Date:

Saturday December 23rd

Place:

Husky Stadium

Time:

8:20pm

Television:

ESPN

Announcers:

Joe Thiesman, Mike Patrick, Paul Maguire & Solomon Wilcots

Spread:

Seattle by 3

Series:

Seahawks Leads 5-2

Last Meeting:

Seahawks 26-16 last year in Seattle

Hawks Offense:

Rush (22nd); Pass(21st); overall (21st)

Hawks Defense:

Rush (28th); Pass (27th) ; overall (31st)

Bills Offense:

Rush (17th); Pass (12th); overall (14th)

Bills Defense:

Rush (6th); Pass (6th); overall (3rd)

Injury Update

The Bills will be without Antoine Winfield, Sam Cowart, Sam Rogers, Phil Hansen and Keion Carpenter again in their season finale. Donovan Greer is also still struggling in recovering from his high ankle sprain and may just shut it down with nothing on the line on Saturday. John Fina still recovering from two knee sprains but will probably start.

For complete injury news throughout the week and the Official NFL Injury Report go to our Injury Page.

Key Matchups

LBs John Holecek and Jay Foreman vs. RB Ricky Watters: Watters has run the ball well as of late and it will be up to Holecek and Foreman to keep him down. Foreman has played quite well against the run since entering the starting lineup and Holecek has starred since Cowart's injury.

WR Eric Moulds vs. CB Shawn Springs: Moulds needs to break out of his slump before contract negotiations get into full swing. Springs is a very talented young player.

RT Marcus Spriggs vs. DE Michael Sinclair: Spriggs likely will move back to the spot he is more comfortable in this week. Sinclair is a wiley veteran who can get around Spriggs and cause some problems for Flutie.

DE Marcellus Wiley vs. LT Walter Jones: Wiley gets to make his last stand for a big contract as he has been the most valuable Bill on defense over the last month of the season. Jones is a talented player but will have his hands full on Saturday.

RB Shawn Bryson vs. LB George Koonce: Koonce has had a great season in the middle for the Seahawks. He will be the man responsible for containing the fast developing Bryson.

Game Plan

When The Bills Have The Ball: The Bills may try to open it up in their final game of the season as the coaching staff tries to save their jobs. Expect Flutie to use his improvisational skills to make a few razzle dazzle plays. The Bills should be able to get their anemic offense moving against the league's worst ranked defense.

When The Seahawks Have The Ball: They will try to pound the ball with Ricky Watters since club's have had success running on the banged up Bills defense over the last month.

Bills Daily Prediction

The Bills haven't shown up for a game in the last month. With the turmoil in the front office and the uncertainty of the future of the coaching staff there is no reason to think they will show up now. Look for Doug Flutie to compete hard and keep the Bills in the game: Seattle 27, Buffalo 23

Season Prediction Record: (10-5)Season Record Against The Spread: (7-8)